MLS Playoff Update: Quakes close to clinching

The San Jose Earthquakes solidified their playoff positioning on the road this weekend, holding Eastern Conference leaders Columbus to a scoreless draw while Kansas City lost in New York.

The Quakes can clinch a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs on Saturday with a win at D.C. United and a Kansas City loss against Seattle.

Colorado also did San Jose a favor after dropping a 1-0 result against United. The Rapids are still one-point ahead of the Quakes, but San Jose has a game in hand and a trio of winnable games on the horizon.

Elsewhere around the league, Chicago's post-season hopes were dealt a major blow after falling 3-0 to FC Dallas on Saturday. For FC Dallas, the win secured a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs. The Fire will need to win each of its remaining games to have a chance to advance.

The Los Angeles Galaxy held on to a slim lead over Real Salt Lake for the Supporter's Shield with a 2-1 win against Chivas USA in the SuperClásico on Sunday.

2010 MLS PLAYOFF STANDINGS

Through Sunday, October 3, 2010

PTS

GP

W

L

T

GF

GA

GD

x - Los Angeles Galaxy (1W)

53

27

16

6

5

40

22

18

x - Real Salt Lake (2W)

51

27

14

4

9

41

18

23

x - New York Red Bulls (1E)

47

27

14

8

5

35

27

8

x - Columbus Crew (2E)

46

27

13

7

7

35

29

6

x - FC Dallas

49

27

12

2

13

39

22

17

Seattle Sounders

42

27

12

9

6

34

31

3

Colorado Rapids

41

27

11

7

9

37

27

10

San Jose Earthquakes

40

26

11

8

7

28

28

0

Kansas City Wizards

33

26

9

11

6

29

31

-2

Toronto FC

31

27

8

12

7

28

34

-6

Chicago Fire

29

26

7

11

8

31

35

-4

Philadelphia Union

28

27

7

13

7

32

44

-12

Houston Dynamo

27

27

7

14

6

36

46

-10

New England Revolution

26

27

7

15

5

29

47

-18

Chivas USA

25

26

7

15

4

26

36

-10

D.C. United

21

27

6

18

3

19

42

-23

The top two teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs automatically.